From
the very first note, whether it's the twang of his banjo, his
lap slide, his Mohan Veena, or his voice, you know where you are
- in 'the Harry zone'. This is what Canadian fans have dubbed
the magical space that envelops the listener of the music of Harry
Manx. In a few short years Harry Manx has etched a whole new path
on the map of world music and the blues. In his unique and moving
music he weds the sounds and sensibilities of Indian music with
western roots and blues.
"Harry Manx is assuredly Canada's most versatile and expressive
blues player," raved Billboard last year. Since the 2000
release of his CD Dog My Cat, Harry has been performing and recording
nonstop. His mesmerizing solo shows have taken him across his
native Canada plus France, Australia and the USA. Of his intensive
touring Harry says: "The live performances have become the
most exciting part of the music business for me....and it's not
only the playing. It's all the other magic that happens between
myself and the audience when we're all focused on the same point.
My goal has always been to draw the audience as deep as possible
into the music."
Harry's career commenced in Europe in the late seventies and covered
the continent until his move to Japan in '89. While there, he
toured extensively with frequent trips to India. In ' 92, Harry
began a five-year in depth study of Indian classical music and
slide guitar with Grammy Award winner and mohan veena inventor
Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (for Meeting by the River with Ry Cooder).
The only other westerner to master and record this instrument
was the late George Harrison. In India, Harry toured with Bhatt,
accompanying him in huge concerts on the tambura (a 4-stringed
drone instrument), and recorded with master flautist Hari Prasad
Charausia on Hari Nova.
In early 2000, Harry returned to Canada and released Dog My Cat.
It won 'Best Blues Album of the Year' in 2001 from the Canadian
Independent Music Association, and extensive worldwide radio play.
His follow up, Wise and Otherwise, also received rave reviews,
strong sales, and cemented his reputation amongst fans and musical
peers, for originality, depth, and a unique musical vision.
In a very busy 2003, Harry first released Jubilee, a collaboration
with famed Canadian guitarist Kevin Breit (Norah Jones). This
was followed by his first live CD-Road Ragas, a collection of
live shows recorded around the world. In July he recorded for
Johnny's Blues - A Tribute to Johnny Cash, with Sydney's Tony
Backhouse arranging background vocals and singing. NetRhythms.co.uk
wrote: "and, the simplest but best, is Harry Manx strumming
National Steel with a dusty, achingly mournful stripped down 'Long
Black Veil' that, when the back up choir come in, is a working
definition of sublime." Later in the year he recorded Bend
in the River, on the acclaimed Gordon Lightfoot tribute album
Beautiful.
In Australia, Harry recorded banjo and mohan veena parts onto
didjeridoo master Ganga Giri's CD Beats Around the Bush. He also
appears on the ABC Live on Stage new release entitled Love and
the Blues. Wild About Harry, a DVD of his March 2003 show at Sydney's
The Basement, was released in November.
Harry has just received 4 nominations from the Maple Leaf Awards
in his native Canada: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best
Acoustic Act, Best Produced Album. He won 'Best Folk Album' from
Edmonton's Folk Festival for Wise and Otherwise, and Best New
Artist for 2002. Harry had 5 in the top 12 folk CDs sold in Canada
in 2002, with Wise and Otherwise in the #2 position (after Ani
Defranco.)
Alison
Pearl
